Saskatoon students walk out of school to protest teacher contract stalemate
High school students in Saskatoon took the afternoon off on Tuesday to voice their frustrations at the province over its inability to strike a deal with teachers.
Feeling neglected during the ongoing contract dispute between teachers and the province, they took their feelings to the streets.
"None of us are getting the education or the funding we need for things that we want to do, and I find this more important than my education right now," high school student Danica Epps said. "They need to fund our education."
What originally started as an idea from students at Marion Graham Collegiate quickly turned into an organized walkout from many high schools across the city. More than 100 students made their way to MLA Don Morgan's office for a protest.
"I want to have a good job when I grow up and I need to have a good education to do that, so with the strikes that can't happen," Emma Vanderzwan said as cars drove by honking their horns in support.
Students felt the protest was important not only for their education, after seeing years of cuts and growing class sizes themselves, but for kids who are just starting school.
"There's so many kids stepping up today and using their voices and left school that I think this actually should be recognized and this should make a change because the government should see that it means a lot to students," said Carly Penner, who drove in from Langham for the protest.
Saskatoon students protest the government's inability to reach a deal with teachers outside Sask. Party MLA Don Morgan's office on March 26, 2024. (Dan Shingoose / CTV News)
With learning being disrupted and extracurriculars cancelled for the week, many students felt they aren't getting the services and experiences expected of the school system.
"Imagine having 35 kids in a classroom. This is incredible. The sizing is way too much," walkout organizer Kunj Patel said. "We can't get the support we need."
Last week, Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation president Samantha Becotte spoke about how vocal parents and students were over the loss of extracurricular activities like sports, and not the loss of core education hours.
"I think that goes to show the efforts that teachers have taken to fill the gaps. I think that we have really tried to make it possible to provide that high quality education," Beccote said.
In a statement, the province said it continues to invite the STF back to the bargaining table every week.
"Teachers and students should be in the classroom and the STF leadership should be at the bargaining table."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
South Africa marked 30 years since the end of apartheid and the birth of its democracy with a ceremony in the capital Saturday that included a 21-gun salute and the waving of the nation's multicolored flag.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.